Democrat Aurora lawyer David Aarestad jumps into race to take on Congressman Coffman in 2018

"We need a congressman who will put our district ahead of party or politics – a representative who will stand up for the families of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District even if it means saying 'no' to the demands of the speaker of the House and the president of the United States," Aarestad said in a statement

AURORA | Overland High School graduate and Georgetown University law school alum David Aarsetad announced today he’s the second Democrat to try and win the 6th Congressional seat from GOP Congressman Mike Coffman.

“I am a candidate for congress because families from this district need a representative who understands their struggles and works toward solutions to the problems they face,” Aarestad said.

Aarestad joins Denver lawyer and Army Ranger veteran Jason Crow in the race for the Democratic nomination to take on Coffman.

Aarestad said that while Coffman’s recent support of the so-called Trumpcare replacement of Obamacare was what pushed him to run for seat, it’s one of many issues he says Coffman is out of touch with in regard to the greater Aurora congressional district.

“Congressman Coffman has voted with Trump 96 percent of the time. Trumpcare would have devastated struggling families like mine,” Aarestad said.

Now a clinical trials contract attorney for the University of Colorado at Anschutz, Aarestad said Trumpcare would have financially ruined his family when his wife was fighting breast cancer, and they were struggling with health issues with their daughter, who has Down syndrome.

Aarestad said that Coffman misjudged the practical effect Trumpcare would have on a wide range of Aurora area families, and especially families like his.

In an emailed statement, a spokesman for the Coffman campaign redirected Aarestad’s announcement to Crow, roundly dismissing both Democratic challengers.

“Jason Crow is to this race what Hillary Clinton was to the Democratic Presidential primary — the handpicked choice of D.C. establishment Democrats,” wrote Tyler Sandberg, spokesman for Coffman’s campaign. “It’s no surprise the grassroots aren’t going to just coronate DC’s handpicked candidate. Hell, Jason Crow doesn’t even live in the District and we’re not the only ones who noticed. David probably isn’t the last Democrat to jump into the race.”

Also in an emailed statement, Crow welcomed Aarestad to the race for Aurora’s congressional seat.

“I’m excited about the enthusiasm that is out there right now and I look forward to a substantive discussion on the issues,” Crow said in a statement.

Aarestad ran unsuccessfully for Cherry Creek School District’s board of education in 2015, losing to Janice McDonald in a crowded race.

“We need a congressman who will put our district ahead of party or politics — a representative who will stand up for the families of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District even if it means saying ‘no’ to the demands of the speaker of the House and the president of the United States,” Aarestad said in a statement.